Business form



Nov. 25, 1969 A. M. COHEN 3,480,297

BUSINESS FORM Filed Sept. 27,1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I ABC 7004 C0,

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. ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,480,297 BUSINESS FORM Arthur M. Cohen, 2775 E. 12th St., Brooklyn, N. 11235 Filed Sept. 27, 1967, Ser. No. 671,072 Int. Cl. B42d /06, 15/02 U.S. Cl. 282-22 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This business form facilitates arrangement of a plurality of written sheets from a plurality of such forms. The sheets have an area along one edge for receiving basic data or information, and the sheets have perforations defining a fold line which is perpendicular to that edge area which receives the basic information. The sheets have a cut defining a tab located at the fold line, and the line of perforations is interrupted at the tab so that the tab remains unfolded when folding a sheet on the fold line, and projects somewhat even when the sheet is again spread open. The tab then acts as a sheet locating stop when shingling the sheets, and only the area with the basic information is exposed. Appropriate slits interlock with adjacent material to help prevent relative movement of the shingled sheets. The residual fold acts as a spine which helps align and hold the shingled sheets against relative rotation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION My prior Patent 3,061,335, issued October 30, 1962, and entitled Form for Bookkeeping, explains that large businesses have the advantage of business machines and bookkeeping machines which a small business cannot afiord. The said patent discloses an improved business form which expedites and simplifies bookkeeping procedures by making it possible to expose basic information on each of a substantial number of separate sheets in closely juxtaposed or shingled relation, to act as a journal or ledger. For that purpose the sheets are reversely folded on different fold lines, and the resulting bundle of sheets has served the intended purpose, but has had the disadvantage of being somewhat bulky and cumbersome, because of the reversely folded bundle of sheets. For the same reason it has not been convenient to make a photocopy of the assembled sheets as a retained record.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present business form again has sheets with an area along one edge for receiving basic data or information. The sheets have perforations defining a fold line which is perpendicular rather than parallel to the edge area which receives the basic information. The sheets also have a cut defining a tab located at the fold line, and the line of perforations is interrupted at the tab, so that the tab remains unfolded when folding a sheet on the fold line, and projects somewhat when the sheet is spread almost flat after having been folded. The tab then acts as a sheet locating stop when shingling a plurality of such sheets, the tab being so located that only the line of basic information is exposed.

In preferred form a slit may be provided at the upper end of the tab, and the bottom edge of the sheet may have a short slit, these slits being a part of the fold line, and interlocking with adjacent material to prevent relative movement of the shingled sheets. The small residual fold of the sheets forms a spine which helps hold the shingled sheets against relative rotation. A small teat may be formed at one end of the tab to engage the slot of the next sheet defining the tab of the next sheet, in order to discourage relative separation of the shingled sheets.

3,480,297 Patented Nov. 25, 1969 The foregoing and additional features are described in the following detailed specification which is accompanied by drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows one face of a two-sheet check form, in its original flat condition;

FIG. 2 shows the opposite face;

FIG. 3 is an edge view showing the check form folded, with a sheet of carbon paper therein;

FIG. 4 shows the check as used;

FIG. 5 shows a group of the lower data copy sheets of the check form, in shingled relation;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section drawn to enlarged scale and taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section drawn to enlarged scale and taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view drawn to enlarged scale and explanatory of the locating tab;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a snap-out" business form used as an invoice;

FIG. 10 is an edge view of the same;

FIG. 11 shows how the said invoice sheets may be shingled for bookkeeping purposes; and

FIG. 12 is an edge view showing how a sheet retains some residual fold when spread out after being folded.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the business check or draft shown comprises a check 12 which may be considered an upper sheet. This is formed integrally with a lower or data sheet 14, the sheets being joined on a tear line 1-6, which may act also as a temporary fold line when turning data sheet 14 beneath top sheet 12. The check 12 may be printed conventionally, and the printing includes the now customary magnetic ink identifying numbers, here indicated by a line of zeros at 18. Space is provided along the bottom edge 20 for receiving basic information or data.

FIG. 2 shows the opposite side of the sheet, turned end for end, so that the back of the check is at the left end 12, while the front of the data sheet is shown at 14. In use, the sheet is folded on the line 16, and a carbon sheet 22 (FIG. 3) is inserted between the upper sheet or check 12, and the data or bookkeeping sheet 14. The area 24 (FIG. 2) near the bottom edge receives a duplicate of the basic information written at 20 in FIG. 1, in addition to receiving a duplicate of the other information on the check, such as the payee, the amount, the date, andso on.

FIG. 4 shows a used check, and it will be seen that in this particular case the basic information along the bottom of the check comprises the date, the amount, and a classification number and/or letter identifying that one of a number of suppliers being paid by this check. The classification number and/ or letter may identify the type of goods being bought from suppliers as, for example, steel from one supplier, and plastics from another.

Reverting to FIG. 2, the check form as printed may carry a serial number, in this case the number 1716, and this may be printed in contrasting color, typically red. It is here shown printed on the back of the check, at 26, and twice on the front of the data sheet, at 28 and 30. For convenience in printing the serial number in a single printing operation, it is printed on the back of one sheet, in this case the sheet 12, and on the front of the other sheet 14. However, the reverse arrangement could be used. After the check has been filled out it is separated on the tear line 16. The lower sheet 14 is retained and used as a bookkeeping sheet. In this particular case the sheet tear lines 16 and 32 in FIG. 2, has perforations defining a fold line 34, this being perpendicular to the bottom edge which receives the basic information at 24. It will be understood that although lines 32 and 34 are both perforated, a tear line as at 32 has relatively long slits with very little retained connection between slits, whereas a fold line as at 34 has shorter or more widely spaced slits with much more retained connection between perforations.

The sheet 14 has a cut 36 defining a tab 40, and the perforations 34 are interrupted at the tab 40, so that the tab remains unfolded when bending the sheet on the fold line. The tab projects when the sheet is folded, and it retains some projection even when the sheet is again spread to relatively flat condition. The tab thus acts as a sheet locating stop when shingling the sheets as shown in FIG. 5, which shows four such sheets drawn to larger scale. Only the bottom edge with the basic information or data is exposed except for the top sheet. Many more sheets may be added, and the lines of data are juxtaposed, as is desired.

Referring to FIG. 8, the tab 40 preferably has a slit at one end, indicated at 42. Moreover, the lower edge 44 of the sheet preferably has a short slit 46. The slits 42 and 46 are aligned with and form a part of the fold line 34. When the sheets are shingled the tab 40 projects somewhat as shown in FIGS. 6- and 7, because the sheet retains a slight fold even when spread after being folded. Thus, the lower edge of an upper sheet bears against the tab. The slits 42 and 46 pass each other and interlock in the adjacent material, preventing relative movement sideward or downward. The slight retained fold at the fold line 34 acts somewhat as a spine for the shingled sheets, which helps prevent relative rotation of the sheets.

An additional refinement is shown in FIG. 8, namely the provision of a small teat 48. This is so located that it tends to enter the slot or vacant space formed by the tab of the next sheet, and so helps prevent separation of the shingled sheets in the direction of the fold line or spine. The dimensioning and the location of the tabs 40 and the slits 42 and 46 is so selected, that When the sheets are shingled as shown in FIG. 5, only the area with the basic information is exposed. This information is so closely juxtaposed as to facilitate bookkeeping. The sheets 14 may be arranged in different ways for different purposes. For example, they may be arranged chronologically when it is desired to total the amount paid in a given period. They may be grouped by the classification number of a particular payee or supplier when it is desired to total the amount paid to that supplier.

In FIG. 8 the distance X should equal the distance Y, inwhich case the teat 48 of one sheet will reach and enter the tab opening of the next sheet. At the same time the distance from the bottom of X to the bottom of Y, or differently expressed, the distance from the top end of slit 46 to the bottom end of slit 42, determines the exposure distance at the bottom of each sheet when shingling the sheets.

FIG. 6 shows how the teat 48 ofthe data sheet 14 enters the slot left by the tab 40' of an adjacent sheet 14. FIG. 7 shows how the tab 40 of the data sheet 14 is straddled by the material at each side of the bottom slit 46' of an adjacent sheet 14.

Reverting to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, an optional feature is the provision of a similar fold line and locating tab on the upper sheet or check 12. This is shown by the fold line 52 and its locating tab 54. This facilitates shingling of the returned checks, with the basic information exposed along the bottom edges. If desired, an additional fold line 56 may be provided. This is parallel to but spaced from the fold line 52, and its purpose is to act as a hinge to facilitate lifting the upper sheet to look at a lower sheet therebeneath, without having to disengage the tabs of the shingled sheets. Such a second fold line may be provided also on the data sheet, and is shown at 58 in FIGS. 2 and 5. This second fold line has no locating tab.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show a different business form embodying features of the present improvement. In this case the form is an invoice the sheets of which are secured together as a snap-out form. FIG. 10 shows the sheets 60, 62, 64 and 66 secured together at the left edge 68, with sheets of carbon paper therebetween, the adhesive connection being indicated at 72. The sheets are slit to provide a tear line 74, so that they can be snapped away from the binding edge 68 after the invoice has been filled out. The carbon sheets 70 remain with the binding edge 68. It will be understood that the carbon material may be provided in different ways, as by carbonizing the backs instead of using separate carbon sheets. It will also be understood that the sheets may be of different color to indicate the intended purpose. One copy may be sent along with the merchandise. Another copy may be sent by mail to the customer. Another copy may be retained, and if desired may be made of translucent material when intended for duplicating in copying machines requiring a translucent original.

Here again, there is provision for writing in basic information along the bottom edge, and in the present case, as will be seen in FIG. 11, there is the customers name; the individual at the customer who placed the order, here shown by a first name; the purchase order number of the customer; the invoice date; the invoice money amount; and the sales invoice number.

The fold line is indicated at 78, and the tab at 80. The line of perforations 78 is interrupted at the tab so that it remains unfolded when the sheet is folded, and it projects somewhat when the sheet is again spread after folding. Thus, the tabs 80 act as locating stops when shingling the sheets, as shown for four sheets in FIG. 11. Here again the upper end of the tab has a slit 82 (FIG. 9), and the lower edge of the sheet has a short slit 84, the slits and adjacent material interlocking when the sheets are shingled. A teat 86 may be provided, corresponding to the teat 48 in FIG. 8. It will be understood that the location and dimensioning of these parts is such that only the desired bottom edge area with the basic information is exposed, the lines of information being closely juxtaposed as shown in FIG. 11 to facilitate bookkeeping procedures. Also, here again the same sheets may be arranged in different groups or in different sequence for different purposes, for example, chronologically, or by customer, etc. When multiple copies of the sheet are available, one set may be shingled in one arrangement for one purpose, and another set may be shingled in a different arrangement for a different purpose.

If desired, the array of shingled sheets may be photocopied for a more permanent record of the array.

FIG. 12 shows how the invoice sheets retain a slight fold even when spread after folding, and this provides what I have termed a spine which helps hold the shingled sheets against relative rotation.

Another business form utilizing the present improvement may be a statement for an unpaid bill. This ordinarily would be a two-sheet form somewhat as shown in FIGS. 1-5. The upper sheet would be mailed to the customer. The retained copy may be shingled alphabetically as a schedule of accounts receivable.

It is believed that the construction and method of use of my improved business form as well as the advantages thereof will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. tBy shingling the sheets I favorably position the writing, instead of writing in position as in conventional journals and ledgers. Because the shingled sheets do not require the somewhat cumbersome reversely folded backs of my prior Patent 3,061,335, they are easier to use, and easier to photocopy when it is desired to retain a record before separating the sheets and perhaps arranging them in different sequence. Such different sequence again may be photocopied and kept as a record.

It will be understood that while I have shown and described the invention in several preferred forms, changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A business form to facilitate arrangement of a plurality of Written sheets from a plurality of such forms, said form comprisng upper and lower sheets adapted to receive carbon material between said sheets, said sheets being secured along one corresponding edge, said sheets including an area along one edge for receiving basic information, said sheetshaving perforations defining a fold line which is perpendicular to that edge area which receives the basic information, said sheets having a cut defining a tab located at the fold line, the line of perforations defining the fold line being interrupted at the tab so that the tab remains unfolded when folding a sheet on the fold line, said tab being adapted to engage another sheet and thus acting as a sheet locating stop when shingling the sheets, and said tab being located substantially immediately above said basic information area so that when the sheets are shingled only the area with the basic information is exposed.

2. A business form as defined in claim 1, in which there is a slit in one end of the tab to help anchorthe next sheet which bears against the tab when the ,sheets are shingled, said slit being a part of the fold line..

3. A business form as defined in claim 2, in which the edge of a sheet which engages the tab has a short slit transverse to the edge to interlock with the material adjacent the slit in the tab in order to prevent motion in a direction transverse to the fold line, said slit being a part of the fold line.

4. A business form as defined in claim 3, in which a small teat is formed in the sheet located at one end of the tab to engage the slot of the next sheet defining the tab of the next sheet, in order to discourage relative separation of the shingled sheets in the direction of the fold line.

5. A business form as defined in claim 4, in which the sheet has an additional fold line parallel to but spaced from the aforesaid fold line to facilitate lifting of an upper sheet to look at another sheet therebeneath.

6. A business form as defined in claim 3, in which the upper sheet and lower sheet are joined at one end by a tear line, and in which the upper sheet is printed to act as a bank check, and in which the lower sheet has a vertical tear line dividing it between left and right portions, one of said portions, having the aforesaid fold line with a tab, the basic information being received along the bottom edge of the said portion having the tab as well as along the bottom edge of the check.

7. A business form as defined in claim 3, in which there are carbon sheets between the regular sheets and all of the sheets are joined at the left edge and form part of a snap out form, and in which the sheets are printed to act as a business invoice, and in which there is provision for writing the basic information along the bottom edge of the sheets.

8. A business form as defined in claim 1, in which the edge of a sheet which engages the tab has a short slit transverse to the edge to interlock with the tab in order to prevent motion in a direction transverse to the fold line, said short slit being a part of the foldline.

9. A business form as defined in claim 1, in which a small teat is formed in the sheet located at one end of the tab to engage an opening in the next sheet in order to discourage relative separation of the shingled sheets in the direction of the fold line.

10. A business form as defined in claim 1, in which the sheet has an additional fold line parallel to but spaced from the aforesaid fold line to facilitate lifting of a sheet to look at another sheet therebeneath.

References Cited JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

